Looking for budget-friendly New Year’s Eve parties? These free shows promise big fun.
Smart bets: Fred Eaglesmith
Fred Eaglesmith’s fans call themselves “Fredheads,” and that group knows that the singer-songwriter’s live performances include comic monologues and rock ’n’ roll treatments of new material and back catalog offerings.
Top 5 dreamiest local album releases of 2015
It’s hard to choose just five favorite albums. From hip-hop to soul and roots music to lush dream-pop, the offerings are as varied as the fanbase.
Tuning into Asheville’s teen bands
It makes sense that Asheville’s music scene is not only broadening in terms of numbers of bands, venues and genres, but in the range of ages of its musicians. And, as local music gains wider recognition, more talent moves to town — or grows up here.
Smart bets: Asheville Mardi Gras’ 12th Night
All are welcome to dance their way into 2016 in an imaginative getup (optional). The kickoff event is at The Grove House Wednesday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m.
Infamous Unknown Hinson rings in the new year at The Grey Eagle
What to expect when Unknown Hinson plays a special New Year’s Eve show with opening acts Drunken Prayer and Little Lesley & The Bloodshots? “Unknown Hinson is still alive, baby, doing what I do and I ain’t about to damn stop at all,” the musician says. “If you will be there, I will be there singin’ my guts out for you.”
Top 5 concerts of 2015
I’m always amazed and grateful that despite being a comparatively small market, Asheville draws high-end touring talent. 2015 was no exception. Among a long list of local shows, these are my Top 5 for this year.
ICYMI: Xpress feature reads of the week
Looking for some longform (or longerform) reads to cozy up with over the weekend? Here’s a round-up of our leading feature stories from the last seven days. Happy reading!
Acoustic Asheville: David Wax Museum
David Wax Museum recently brought its Mexo-Americana sound to The Grey Eagle to promote the band’s latest record, Guesthouse.
New Year’s Eve parties around WNC
As we pin our shiniest hopes and dreams on 2016, it makes sense to see its predecessor out in style. Whether that entails peaceful chanting, serious rocking, communing with the undead or benefiting a worthy cause, Xpress has a party for every reveler.
WNC’s longest-running New Year’s Eve dance party rages on
Kent Scott uses the New Year’s Eve holiday to book innovative acts. “These are DJs that I, as a music nerd, really appreciate,” he says. “I’ve tried different kinds of approaches. I’ve brought bands in, but that got in the way of the dance party.”
Smart bets: The Nude Party
The Cannonball Jars, Ancient Whales and The Blots open The Nude Party’s vinyl and tape release show at The Mothlight Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 9 p.m. Free.
Holiday events roundup for 12/23 through 12/31
ART/CRAFT FAIRS Caldwell Arts Council 601 College Ave. SW, Lenoir, 754-2486 • Through WE (12/23) – “Satie’s Holiday Sale,” 75 crafters and artists exhibiting. Mon.-Fri.: 9am-6pm. Sat.: 10am-3pm. Free to attend. BENEFITS Dancing, Drums, and Dreams Benefit AshevilleRhythm.org • TH (12/31), 8:30pm – Tickets to this New Year’s Eve celebration with music by Free Planet Radio and Kevin Spears benefit […]
Smart bets: Urban Gypsy Trunk Show
With its bar open for business, Asheville Music Hall hosts the free party on Saturday, Dec. 26, from noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 27, from noon to 7 p.m.
30 Days Out: a look at upcoming concerts
This week’s roundup includes the Gonzalo Bergara Quartet, the Screamin’ Js, Andrew Scotchie’s B-Day Bash and The Midnight Riders.
Amplified: Adriano Viterbini and Reed Turchi
Asheville’s own Reed Turchi and Adriano Viterbini from Rome, Italy brought their unique style of blues music to The Root Bar to kick off a recent tour.
Lex 18 hosts a nostalgic white Christmas
On the evenings of Thursday, and Friday, Dec. 23 and 24, Lex 18 holds a White Christmas Radio Dinner Show, an evening of fine dining, live holiday music, and the re-creation of actual radio plays and commercials from the Prohibition era and jazz age.
Smart bets: A Swannanoa Solstice
The annual event is at Diana Wortham Theatre Sunday, Dec. 20, at 2 and 7 p.m.
Ouroboros Boys launch a single and music video
The local post-punk/neo-surf outfit will release, “Spitfire” / “The Corsage,” the first single from their forthcoming self-title debut, with a free show at The Lazy Diamond Sunday, Dec. 20.
Smart bets: A Path Untold and Aligning Minds
Aligning Minds and A Path Untold co-headline the album release show with Futexture and Bombassic opening at The Orange Peel Saturday, Dec. 19.
Unsigned artists can enter NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest, Jan. 12-Feb. 2
PRESS RELEASE: True to its spirit of music discovery, NPR Music is kicking off 2016 with an invite to unsigned artists of all genres: Show them why you should perform in NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert series. The winner will secure a spot at the iconic performance space and a U.S. tour with NPR Music. […]